Suns 116, Clippers 108
Jason Richardson scored 17 of his 29 points in the first quarter as the Phoenix Suns jumped to an early 25-point lead and held on for a 116-108 victory over the resurgent Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
Hakim Warrick came off the bench for 25 points, Channing Frye added 16 and four 3-pointers and Steve Nash had 10 assists for the Suns, who blew a 23-point lead in a 123-115 overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday
Eric Gordon scored 32 points and rookie Blake Griffin added 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who had their first two-game winning streak since February snapped.
Phoenix doubled up Los Angeles, 42-21, in the first quarter, but the Clippers moved within 67-51 at the half. Gordon scored 10 points - hitting a 3-pointer and converting a three-point play - during a 12-3 run in the first four minutes of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 70-63.
Shortly thereafter the Suns went on a 15-4 edge on 3-pointers by Channing Frye and Steve Nash, and five points from Hakim Warrick to restore an 88-72 lead. Phoenix led by at least 10 the rest of the way until a late spurt by Gordon cut the lead to six with a minute left.